Social media spreads both awareness and misinformation about allergies and asthma

Social media spreads both awareness and misinformation about allergies and asthma

From rare tick-borne meat allergies to everyday asthma, millions of people turn to social media for health advice. But new research presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) annual scientific meeting in Orlando shows that while these platforms give patients a voice, they also amplify misinformation — and posts that get the most attention are often not the most accurate.

One study examined social media videos about alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a growth disorder caused by Lone Star tick bites that can cause severe allergic reactions to meat. Researchers analyzed the top 100 videos under the hashtag "alphagal" and found that only 15 were created by doctors - and most doctors were not allergists. Still, videos created by doctors received more likes and comments than videos created by non-doctors, which tended to be shorter and anecdotal. The results highlight the potential ability of allergists to share accurate, understandable information in a patient-friendly environment.

Alpha-Gal is confusing for patients and many turn to social media for advice. While personal stories are valuable, there is also a lot of misinformation. When allergists and other physicians intervene, their content resonates – suggesting a real opportunity to improve public understanding.”

Nadia Hamid, MD, ACAAI member, allergist and lead author of the study

A second study examined TikTok videos about asthma, a more common condition. Of the 40 most-liked English-language videos posted under #asthma in 2024, more than one in four contained inaccurate or misleading claims. Some of the most concerning myths include that asthma can be cured with breathing exercises or that caffeine combined with asthma inhalers could be fatal. Worryingly, these misleading, inaccurate videos were more popular, receiving more than three times as many likes as accurate ones.

Most asthma-related videos were created by non-physicians and the overall quality rating was low. According to the researchers, this reflects both the popularity of anecdotal health content and the relative scarcity of doctor voices on the platform.

“TikTok and other platforms offer incredible opportunities to reach patients where they are,” said Dr. Ishitha Jagadish, junior doctor and lead author of the study. "But right now, misinformation about asthma is not only widespread, it is also more compelling than accurate content. We need more allergy and asthma experts online to present science-based, engaging content."

Taken together, the two studies highlight both the promise and pitfalls of social media as a source of health information. Patient stories can provide comfort and community, but without the presence of medical experts, myths spread quickly—and can influence health behaviors in dangerous ways.

Summary title:The Tick Talks: A qualitative analysis of #AlphaGal content on a social video sharing platform

Moderator:Nadia Hamid, MD

Summary title:Misinformation Goes Viral: Evaluating Asthma-Related TikTok Content

Moderator:Ishitha Jagadish, MD

Sources: